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Cold-Water Eden

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Cold-Water Eden

By: Richie Fitzgerald
Narrated by: Patrick McBrearty
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About this listen

 An immersive memoir about a groundbreaking surfing career, and a stunning portrait of Ireland as one of the world’s most captivating big-wave surfing destinations.

Born and raised in Bundoran, with the waves of the west coast of Ireland breaking at his doorstep, Richie Fitzgerald was moulded by his environment – from his initiation to surfing at the age of 9 in the cold Atlantic water to becoming Ireland’s first ever pro surfer and competing on a global scale.

But learning to surf in 1980s Ireland wasn’t without its challenges. With little to no equipment, Richie duct-taped Marigolds over woollen gloves to protect his hands from the freezing water and even melted Christening candles to pour on his board in place of surf wax.

Yet the west of Ireland boasts waves of size and quality to rival those in California and Hawaii, attracting surfers from all over the world who want to test their mettle, and Richie has surfed the biggest, and most dangerous, of them.

Cold-Water Eden is not just a captivating memoir about a transcendent sport: it is at its heart a coming-of-age story about one man’s pursuit of big waves and the dawn of Ireland as a singular destination on the global surf scene.

©2022 Richie Fitzgerald (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers Limited Europe Sports Surfing Water Sports Heartfelt

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Critic reviews

‘It’s a brilliant story.’ – Ray D’Arcy, RTÉ

‘The book is incredible.’ – Shane Hannon, Off the Ball

‘It is a fascinating and captivating tale of growing up in the North West frontier town that was a haven for Catholics from the North, during the Troubles, and when the waves off Rougey and Tullan Strand were seen as little more than the start of an emigrant’s journey to the Big Apple and beyond.’ – Michael McHugh, Donegal Democrat
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simply a fantastic book , well written, and makes me want to get in the water every time 👏👏

breathtaking !!!

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What an intrinsic legacy Ritchie and his family have played in the development in surfing on the west coast of Ireland. From moving and enduring tight knit family life highs and lows to recounting coming of age local and global surfing stories. I visited and surfed the area of Ritchie's home town a number of times during the hey days of this book which brought back fond surfing memories in this surf rich area. unfortunately never had the pleasure of meeting the man but know a few people that did and listened in ore of his surfing prowess and fearless endeavours. This real life story is a great listen for those who surf especially with a connection or yearning for the land of rainbows. Enjoy!

The peaks and troughs of an Irish surfing legend

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A great story about the enjoyment of sport for the purest of reasons and the love of simply being in the water.

If the towns and beaches of Bundoran, Strandhill, Tramore, Mullaghmore etc are busier than normal with surfers and blow-ins in the months after the release of this book, Richie will be largely responsible.

Great story about Irish surfing

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Great storytelling, inspiring, informative and entertaining. A great account of how surfing developed in Ireland.

A must read for any Irish surfer

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I really enjoyed this book, any water lover will appreciate and empathise with this fantastic story.

Brilliant surf life story, well told.

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